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Reviews

"James D. Best the author has written at least six books, including the Steve Dancy Western novels: The Shopkeeper, Leadville and Murder at Thumb Butte. I couldn't agree with you more about the series. I read them and enjoyed them immensely." —Gary Clothier

True West Magazine, March, 2012

"The James Best
books...are about the best new Western series to come along since Larry
McMurtry."—Larry WingetBookViews—September Picks of the Month"James D. Best is arguably one of the best writers of westerns." —Alan Caruba

"If you are a
fan of great westerns from authors like Louis L'Amour and Larry McMurtry, then
you need to get on board with James Best and the Steve Dancy series. Great
stories, interesting and diverse characters and plenty of action! I have
enjoyed every one of them and The Return is a terrific addition to the series.
My only complaint is that they don't come fast enough! I can't wait for the
next one and hope it comes soon!" "—Larry Winget, The Pitbull of
Personal Development

This is an
old-fashioned western in a way that goes back to the western’s roots. For the
closest comparison, I’d offer Francis Lynde’s first novel, The Grafters.

"This series is comprised of six books, and I’ve read
the first three so far. I’m completely hooked... James D. Best is one of my new
favorite authors. I highly recommend this well-written and entertaining
series!" Glorianne Muggli at Miligero

"I have to say its one of the best western books I’ve read in a long time. It took me back about 125 years. The characters, the plot, everything seem so real. You’ll find yourself lost in the book—the fast pace keeps it interesting." —Maritza Barone

"This is a fast paced tale with an interesting hero. In structure, with short chapters, crisp dialogue, and lots of movement, it’s reminiscent of a thriller."— Round Up Magazine,August, 2008

Slap Bookleather"The Shopkeeper is good. Really good. There are a couple of neat plot twists in the story, so I won’t say much about the plot, but rest assured it is highly entertaining."Western Fiction Review"With all the plot developments the story has a natural fast pace and before I knew it I had reached the end, leaving me wanting to read the next in the series."Saline River Chronicle"This is a
compelling narrative and as good as the best of classic Westerns. James D. Best
is a name to remember."Nashville Examiner"The Shopkeeperis quick and fun to read, perfect for a vacation escape." —Diane ScearceBuddies in the Saddle"The Shopkeeperis
one heck of a novel ... you might call it a thinking reader’s western. Its cast
of characters is easy to believe in, and the storytelling is taut and well
polished. Complications are neatly and plausibly resolved after many pages of
suspenseful tension."Blogger News Network"I have to admit that the Wild West and Western books as a whole are not generally speaking my favorite genre. Occasionally though, one is released that breaks the mold and genuinely stands out as a great work of fiction. I put The Shopkeeper in that lofty position."—Simon BarrettPowerful Reviews

"One of the series of books that has been catching good reviews have been the Steve Dancy series. The story has a very fast pace, the hero has a duality about him sometimes being the villian as well. But he manages to produce the goods in taking out numerous bad guys."'Bout Books"It is a very good western to pick up and read. The writing is clear and straight forward with plenty of action attached. For an entertaining read, The Shopkeeper draws high marks."—T. Akery

"The prose is
decidedly and artfully simply, and I’d argue that the story reveals itself more
like a detective novel than a typical western. Steve
Dancy just gets us."Cats and a Book"The Shopkeeper is quick and fun to read, perfect for a vacation escape."The Book or Bust"Strong writing, but not overdone. From the first page: 'Richard's three of hearts was in mid-flight when a distant gunshot froze everything but the floating card."—Melissa RomoBook Advice"The story is engaging. I enjoy Best's style of writing, and it's a quick read."2 Kids and Tired Books"A gentleman who prefers books and cards with friends, Steve inadvertently finds himself a gunslinger embroiled in a feud with a silver baron. Add a beautiful woman, hired killers and some early Nevada history and you have The Shopkeeper. The story was fast paced and entertaining."The Word that is Miss Spoken"The Shopkeeper is a page turner and James Best is a great story teller. The characters are well developed."Fascinating Authors"The plot moves rapidly among these monetary, political persons and action sequences in Pickhandle Gulch, Carson City, Virginia City." —John H. ManholdTulip Talk"A really good story, even for someone who never really liked 'Westerns."Insight Books

The IE Mommy"I will definitely look at Western novels a bit differently now. The Shopkeeper opened my eyes and my realm of interest and I will be actively looking for more books by James D. Best."Stonewall Grant"The Shopkeeper did
not disappoint. It's well written with deep characters and
a swift plot that keeps the pages turning. Great dialogue and a well contrived plot."robertpeecher

"I found myself caught up in the story to the
point that when I got to the last few chapters I abandoned all other plans for
the day and just read until I finished the novel."

“…even if I weren't living in Leadville, I'd still love this
Wild West mystery adventure! Best's writing style is a romp, and he nails the
dialogue. Two thumbs up!”

What Would The Founders Think?"There is no fluff in this story, just straight-through action and good dialogue. Leadville is pure entertainment with great character development."Cats and a Book"Best's novels are rip-roaring good stories, with engaging plots, likable characters, and plenty of action. Dancy is tough, intelligent, and thoughtful, and his compatriots are respectable men of integrity."2 Kids and Tired Books"The story is exciting and fast-paced. Gun fights and robberies, cowboys and Indians, horses and mining, friendship and loss. The heroes are terrific and the bad guys aren't. The adventure is entertaining."Book and Bookstore"I would highly recommend these two westerns to anyone with an imagination and curiosity about the history of our country. And besides, they are just excellent reading."______________________________________________________________________________

Murder at Thumb Butte

Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine"This is a
well-plotted mystery, as well as a terrific Old West story. Best has a great
character in Steve Dancy, and has created an excellent cast of secondary
characters." — C.K. CriggerWhat Would The Founders Think?

"Best does a great
job of weaving historic Prescott into the story with accurate depictions of
well-known features like Whiskey Row, the court house, Gurley Street, and other
famous locales in the historic town. The story itself is as good, if not better than the
other two books in the series."

Bookviews"When it comes to novels that evoke a fabled period,
few do it better than Jim Best. Best
is best at dialogue and his novels move along at a swift pace with some of the
best dialogue you’ll find. Nothing fancy, but it reflects real people in real
situations. Treat yourself to one or all three of the series." —Alan CarubaThe American Culture"The Western mystery
story is not as rare a phenomenon as you might think. The conventions of the
mystery transfer pretty well to the Wild West, and many famous mystery writers
cranked out westerns as well, back in the days when you could make a living writing
for the pulps. Contemporary author James D. Best carries on this tradition with
his Steve Dancy stories."Brandywine"Steve is a former
gun shop owner from New York City, transferred to the west where, although his
primary concern is business, he has made a reputation as a gunman. I thought
this approach added freshness to the whole enterprise. We often forget that
cowboys shared a country and a time with men like Thomas Edison and Cornelius
Vanderbilt, but Steve Dancy straddles both worlds." —Lars Walker______________________________________________________________________________

The Return

Examiner.comThe Return is a lively, old-fashioned style Western—clever, entertaining, and full of period references to give it authenticity. Best paces his stories so well readers will find it difficult to put down.” —Diane ScearceBookviews"James D. Best is arguably one of the best writers of westerns, but his newest novel, The Return, featuring Steve Dancy, a character from several of his previous novels, is set in the East." —Alan CarubaWestern Writers of America, Round Up MagazineWell-written, fast-paced, interesting characters—what more can a reader want?—C. K. CriggerBrandywineThe Return, another Dancy story, is another well-written tale,” —Lars WalkerWestern Fiction ReviewThis is the fourth
book in James D. Best’s Steve Dancy series and once again Best proves that he
has the ability to write fascinating and very entertaining stories.

Beaufort Observer"If you want to know the truth about the character of those gentlemen and you want to learn about the evolution of one of the greatest documents ever created by man---the Constitution of the United States---relax in your bed, favorite chair or recliner, and enjoy."—Allen BallWhat Would The Founders Think?"Tempest at Dawn is
an audacious undertaking that succeeds by giving texture and color not only to
Roger Sherman and James Madison, but also to Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris
(unrelated to Gouverneur), Charles Pinckney, Ben Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton
among others. The author’s ability to flesh out so many characters so
effectively makes the book, which could easily have been dry and flavorless,
sparkle with subtle verve and wit."—What Would
The Founders Think?Eutychus the Scribe"Tempest at Dawn adhere closely to Madison’s notes
when describing what occurred in the Assembly Room. But James Best uses the
imagination of the novelist to construct what might have occurred in the taverns,
salons, dining rooms and inns. He also draws on historical data to present us
with the personalities of the major participants in the convention. The result
is a readable, engaging story of the creation of our Constitution."The Path to Tyranny"Thanks to James Best’s masterpiece,Tempest at Dawn, I felt like the 56th delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Using vivid narrative and expressive dialogue, Tempest at Dawn presents all the major issues the Founding Fathers struggled with."—Michael E. NewtonBookviews"The novel captures the real drama that ensued behind closed doors as they hammered out what is now the oldest living constitution and the foundation of the nation. Read it for its historical value. Read it for its dramatic value. But read it!"—Alan CarubaOn Transmigration"The book
brings our founders to life with great writing, historic accuracy and amazing
wit."Militant Reviews"It’s a truly great read and is one of the few books I’ve picked up in the past year that I ended up reading more than 200 pages from in one sitting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in our nation’s founding, the principals involved, and in great historical writing."Daddypundit

"Many a volume has
been written about the writing of the Constitution. The Summer of 1787 and
Tempest At Dawn are two of the better
volumes I have read on the subject."Mike Reads"I found this novel to be an interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed it."—Mike Karus40 Book Challenge Selbrede"This book was
absolutely fabulous. When you read, it makes you feel like you are the 56th
delegate. If you want a terrific historical fiction book, I recommend you start
with this one."

The Shut Mouth SocietyHuntington News"The Shut Mouth Society is a fast-moving, well-written novel that is of particular interest in this bicentennial year of Abe Lincoln's birth." David M. Kinchen

Book Advice"The author has done an excellent job of building the story. I wanted to know more about the secret societies, more about the Sherman family, and more about the resolution."A Writer's Journal"The Shut Mouth
Society by James D. Best is the kind of book I like best. The novel has
everything from intrigue and murder to romance." Faith Friese NelsonEnough With It"I enjoyed the book
the pace of the story ... it was a book I would enjoy reading again."What Would the Founders Think?"The Shut Mouth
Society is a potboiler of the first order."BlogginCurly"This book kept me hooked and I hated to turn away from it
unfinished."

Bookviews"There is no
more important time to learn the how and why of the
founding of our great republic. This highly readable book is a very good place
to start." Alan CarubaWhat Would The Founders Think?"Principled Action provides an excellent analysis of the American Founding
and what made it unique. However, it also provides considerable insight into
the motivations of the current grass-roots movement for a return to constitutionalism."______________________________________________________________________________

Home to The Steve Dancy Tales

"The James Best books...are about the best new Western series to come along since Larry McMurtry."—Larry Winget, True West Magazine

"James D. Best is arguably one of the best writers of westerns." —Alan Caruba, Bookviews

"I have to say its one of the best western books I’ve read in a long time. The characters, the plot, everything seem so real. You’ll find yourself lost in the book—the fast pace keeps it interesting." — Maritza Barone, Woman'sDay